The Girl in the Rural Breeze

Star

"Michelle, I'm not going today," I said firmly, crossing my arms as I stood in front of her.

Michelle, as always, wasn't having it. She gave me a pointed look, her hands on her hips. "Oh, come on, Lila. Why not? You're not doing anything else."

I shook my head, avoiding her eyes. "I just don't feel like it today. I... I have some things to do."

"Things?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "What things? You literally just told me earlier that you were free after class."

"Well, I changed my mind," I said, trying to sound more convincing than I felt.

Michelle sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes. "You're not getting out of this, you know. Mark's going to be there, and I'm not going to sit through practice alone."

"Then don't go," I countered, hoping she'd let it go.

"Not happening," she replied, already grabbing my hand. "And neither is you skipping out on this. You're coming, end of discussion."

"Michelle, please," I protested, trying to pull my hand away. "I really don't want to go today."

"Why not? Did something happen?" she asked, her tone softening for a moment as she tilted her head at me.

I hesitated, unsure of what to say. Telling her the truth wasn't an option-I didn't want her to know about my appointments or my illness. Not yet. Not ever, if I could help it.

"I just... don't want to," I said finally, shrugging.

Michelle gave me a knowing look, the kind that made it clear she wasn't buying my excuses. "Lila, you're coming," she said firmly.

Before I could argue further, she tugged on my arm, dragging me toward the gym. I groaned but didn't resist-there was no point. When Michelle decided something, there was no changing her mind.

"You're impossible," I muttered as we walked.

"And you're too stubborn for your own good," she shot back with a grin.

By the time we reached the gym, the familiar sounds of basketball practice filled the air. Sneakers squeaked against the polished floor, and the steady rhythm of the ball echoed off the walls. Michelle immediately spotted Mark on the court and waved enthusiastically.

I lingered near the entrance, half-heartedly pretending to care about the game. My eyes scanned the players, even though I told myself I wasn't looking for anyone in particular. But, of course, they landed on him-Jake.

He looked focused, as always, his movements smooth and confident as he navigated the court. For a moment, I allowed myself to watch, my heart skipping a beat when his gaze briefly flicked toward me. I quickly looked away, hoping he hadn't noticed.

"Come on," Michelle said, pulling me closer to the bleachers. "Let's sit."

I followed reluctantly, sitting down next to her as she started chatting about something Mark had said earlier. I nodded along, but my mind was elsewhere.

The practice ended sooner than I expected, and before I knew it, Jake and Mark were walking toward us. Michelle jumped up to greet Mark, leaving me sitting awkwardly on the bleachers.

Mark and Michelle were already deep in conversation, leaving Jake and me standing in awkward silence. He shifted on his feet, rubbing the back of his neck as if he wanted to say something but wasn't sure how.

"Michelle, I'm not going today," I said firmly, crossing my arms as I stood in front of her.

Michelle, as always, wasn't having it. She gave me a pointed look, her hands on her hips. "Oh, come on, Lila. Why not? You're not doing anything else."